Natasha Lyonne to direct new sci-fi flick created with generative AI

Russian Doll star Natasha Lyonne is set to direct a new sci-fi movie with an artificial intelligence (AI) focused studio.

Natasha Lyonne, star of the hit Netflix series Russian Doll, is partnering with American computer scientist and visual artist Janor Lanier to create Uncanny Valley.

The movie, co-written by Lyonne and The OA star Brit Marling, follows the life of a teenage girl whose world is upended by a new virtual reality game, The Verge reports.

If it’s anything like Russian Doll or The OA, we can expect the unexpected, particularly as AI will be used to create some elements of the movie.

Lyonne and Marling will also star in the sci-fi flick, and Asteria, an AI-focused production company co-founded by Lyonne and partner Bryn Mooser, will create its AI elements.

Asteria is attempting to set itself apart from other AI entertainment companies by using the AI model Marey, created by the start-up Moonvalley.

Moonvalley claims to allow filmmakers to create “high definition generative video” with an AI model built on “clean, fully licensed data sourced from creators.”

The production timeline remains unclear, and whether Uncanny Valley will make its debut in theatres or on streaming services is also unknown, The Verge reports.

Netizens' reactions to this new movie are far from encouraging, as many are doubting the success of Uncanny Valley.

User Chris Person on Bluesky said “I didn’t realize she (Lyonne) also has a generative AI focused studio that sucks dude don’t do that lol.”

I didn’t realize she also has a generative AI focused studio that sucks dude don’t do that lol

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undefined Chris Person (@papapishu.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 11:47 PM

Other users responded to this post, questioning whether Lyonne has any idea what she’s getting herself into.

​​”Do you think she actually knows how AI functions and has just been lied to by tech investors who pitched her b*llshit and she fell for it, or does she know all about it and is actually the real grifter here?”

Others discussed the state of Uncanny Valley, with some users protesting the entire film.

“I am gonna hate-torrent the shit out of this mess,” said another user.

“Oof. I think everyone is gonna stop liking her at once.”

Hollywood’s attitude towards AI remains unclear, as while many are protesting the use of AI in media, some organizations seem to have taken a neutral stance when it comes to using the technology in film.

The Academy, best known for The Oscars, has set new rules regarding the implementation of artificial intelligence in film after certain Oscar nominees, like The Brutalist and Emilia Perez, were slammed for their use of AI.

Now, the Academy states that using generative AI and digital tools in films will “neither help nor harm” a film’s chances of being nominated for an Oscar.

On the other hand, 400 entertainers have signed a petition against OpenAI and Google, who wish to use copyrighted content to train their AI models.